登陆注册
10069700000006

第6章

DISCOVERY

Mr. and Mrs.Shelby, after their protracted discussion of the night before, did not readily sink to repose, and, in consequence, slept somewhat later than usual, the ensuing morning.

"I wonder what keeps Eliza,"said Mrs. Shelby, after giving her bell repeated pulls, to no purpose.

Mr. Shelby was standing before his dressing-glass, sharpening his razor;and just then the door opened, and a colored boy entered, with his shaving-water.

"Andy,"said his mistress,"step to Elizas door, and tell her I have rung for her three times. Poor thing!"she added, to herself, with a sigh.

Andy soon returned, with eyes very wide in astonishment.

"Lor, Missis!Lizy's drawers is all open, and her things all lying every which way;and I believe she's just done clared out!"

The truth flashed upon Mr. Shelby and his wife at the same moment.He exclaimed:

"Then she suspected it, and shes off!"

"The Lord be thanked!"said Mrs. Shelby."I trust she is."

"Wife, you talk like a fool!Really, it will be something pretty awkward for me, if she is. Haley saw that I hesitated about selling this child, and hell think I connived at it, to get him out of the way.It touches my honor!"And Mr.Shelby left the room hastily.

"I BELIEVE SHES JUST DONE CLARED OUT."

There was great running and ejaculating, and opening and shutting of doors, and appearance of faces in all shades of color in different places, for about a quarter of an hour. One person only, who might have shed some light on the matter, was entirely silent, and that was the head cook, Aunt Chloe.Silently, and with a heavy cloud settled down over her once joyous face, she proceeded making out her breakfast biscuits, as if she heard and saw nothing of the excitement around her.

Very soon, about a dozen young imps were roosting, like so many crows, on the verandah railings, each one determined to be the first one to apprize the strange Masr of his ill-luck.

"He'll be rael mad, I'll be bound,"said Andy.

"Wont he swar!"said little black Jake.

"Yes, for he does swar,"said woolly-headed Mandy."I hearn him yesterday, at dinner. I hearn all about it then,cause I got into the closet where Missis keeps the great jugs, and I hearn every word."And Mandy, who had never in her life thought of the meaning of a word she had heard, more than a black cat, now took airs of superior wisdom and strutted about, forgetting to state that, though actually coiled up among the jugs at the time specified, she had been fast asleep all the time.

When, at last, Haley appeared, booted and spurred, he was saluted with the bad tidings on every hand. The young imps on the verandah were not disappointed in their hope of hearing him"swar,"which he did with a fluency and fervency which delighted them all amazingly, as they ducked and dodged hither and thither, to be out of the reach of his riding-whip;and, all whooping off together, they tumbled, in a pile of immeasurable giggle, on the withered turf under the verandah, where they kicked up their heels and shouted to their full satisfaction.

"If I had the little devils!"muttered Haley, between his teeth.

"But you ha'nt got'em, though!"said Andy, with a triumphant flourish, and making a string of indescribable mouths at the unfortunate traders back, when he was fairly beyond hearing.

"I say now, Shelby, this yer's a most extro'rnary business!"said Haley, as he abruptly entered the parlor."It seems that gal's off, with her young'un."

"Mr. Haley, Mrs.Shelby is present,"said Mr.Shelby.

"I beg pardon, maam,"said Haley, bowing slightly, with a still lowering brow;"but still I say, as I said before, this yer's a sing'lar report. Is it true, sir?"

"Sir,"said Mr. Shelby,"if you wish to communicate with me, you must observe something of the decorum of a gentleman.Andy, take Mr.Haleys hat and riding-whip.Take a seat, sir.Yes, sir;I regret to say that the young woman, excited by overhearing, or having reported to her, something of this business, has taken her child in the night, and made off."

"I did expect fair dealing in this matter, I confess,"said Haley.

"Well, sir,"said Mr. Shelby, turning sharply round upon him,"what am I to understand by that remark?If any man calls my honor in question, I have but one answer for him."

"THE YOUNG IMPS ON THE VERANDAH."

The trader cowered at this, and in a somewhat lower tone said that"it was plaguy hard on a fellow, that had made a fair bargain, to be gulled that way."

"Mr. Haley,"said Mr.Shelby,"if I did not think you had some cause for disappointment, I should not have borne from you the rude and unceremonious style of your entrance into my parlor this morning.I say thus much, however, since appearances call for it, that I shall allow of no insinuations cast upon me, as if I were at all partner to any unfairness in this matter.Moreover, I shall feel bound to give you every assistance, in the use of horses, servants, etc.,in the recovery of your property.So, in short, Haley,"said he, suddenly dropping from the tone of dignified coolness to his ordinary one of easy frankness,"the best way for you is to keep good-natured and eat some breakfast, and we will then see what is to be done."

Mrs. Shelby now rose, and said her engagements would prevent her being at the breakfast-table that morning;and, deputing a very respectable mulatto woman to attend to the gentlemens coffee at the side-board, she left the room.

"Old lady dont like your humble servant, over and above,"said Haley, with an uneasy effort to be very familiar.

"I am not accustomed to hear my wife spoken of with such freedom,"said Mr. Shelby, dryly.

"Beg pardon;of course, only a joke, you know,"said Haley, forcing a laugh.

"Some jokes are less agreeable than others,"rejoined Shelby.

"Devilish free, now Ive signed those papers, cuss him!"muttered Haley to himself;"quite grand, since yesterday!"

Never did fall of any prime minister at court occasion wider surges of sensation than the report of Tom's fate among his compeers on the place. It was the topic in every mouth, everywhere;and nothing was done in the house or in the field, but to discuss its probable results.Eliza's flight—an unprecedented event on the place—was also a great accessory in stimulating the general excitement.

Black Sam, as he was commonly called, from his being about three shades blacker than any other son of ebony on the place, was revolving the matter profoundly in all its phases and bearings, with a comprehensiveness of vision and a strict lookout to his own personal well-being, that would have done credit to any white patriot in Washington.

"Its an ill wind dat blow nowhar,—dat ar a fact,"said Sam, sententiously, giving an additional hoist to his pantaloons, and adroitly substituting a long nail in place of a missing suspender-button, with which effort of mechanical genius he seemed highly delighted.

"Yes, its an ill wind blows nowhar,"he repeated."Now, dar, Tom's down—wal, course der's room for some nigger to be up—and why not dis nigger?—dat's de idee. Tom, a-ridin'round de country—boots blacked—pass in his pocket—all grand as Cuffee—but who he?Now, why shouldn't Sam?—dat's what I want to know."

"Halloo, Sam—O Sam!Masr wants you to cotch Bill and Jerry,"said Andy, cutting short Sams soliloquy.

"High!whats afoot now, young un?"

"Why, you don't know, I s'pose, that'Lizy's cut stick, and clared out, with her youngun?"

"You teach your granny!"said Sam, with infinite contempt;"knowed it a heap sight sooner than you did;this nigger ant so green, now!"

"Well, anyhow, Mas'r wants Bill and Jerry geared right up;and you and I's to go with Masr Haley, to look arter her."

"Good, now!dat's de time o'day!"said Sam."It's Sam dat's called for in dese yer times. He's de nigger.See if I don't cotch her, now;Mas'r'll see what Sam can do!"

"Ah!but, Sam,"said Andy,"you'd better think twice;for Missis don't want her cotched, and shell be in yer wool."

"High!"said Sam, opening his eyes."How you know dat?"

"Heard her say so, my own self, dis blessed mornin',when I bring in Mas'r's shaving-water. She sent me to see why Lizy didn't come to dress her;and when I telled her she was off, she jest ris up, and ses she,'The Lord be praised;'and Mas'r, he seemed rael mad, and ses he,'Wife, you talk like a fool.'But Lor!she'll bring him to!I knows well enough how that'll be,—it's allers best to stand Mississide the fence, now I tell yer."

Black Sam, upon this, scratched his woolly pate, which, if it did not contain very profound wisdom, still contained a great deal of a particular species much in demand among politicians of all complexions and countries, and vulgarly denominated"knowing which side the bread is buttered;"so, stopping with grave consideration, he again gave a hitch to his pantaloons, which was his regularly organized method of assisting his mental perplexities.

"Der an't no saying'—never—'bout no kind o'thing in dis yer world,"he said, at last.

Sam spoke like a philosopher, emphasizing this—as if he had had a large experience in different sorts of worlds, and therefore had come to his conclusions advisedly.

"Now, sartin Id a-said that Missis would a scoured the varsal world after Lizy,"added Sam, thoughtfully.

"IF I ONLY HAD THEM!'MUTTERED HALEY."

"So she would,"said Andy;"but can't ye see through a ladder, ye black nigger?Missis don't want dis yer Mas'r Haley to get'Lizy's boy;dat's de go!"

"High!"said Sam, with an indescribable intonation, known only to those who have heard it among the negroes.

"And I'll tell yer more'n all,"said Andy;"I specs you'd better be making tracks for dem hosses,—mighty sudden, too,—-for I hearn Missis'quirin arter yer,—so you've stood foolin'long enough."

Sam, upon this, began to bestir himself in real earnest, and after a while appeared, bearing down gloriously towards the house, with Bill and Jerry in a full canter, and adroitly throwing himself off before they had any idea of stopping, he brought them up alongside of the horse-post like a tornado. Haleys horse, which was a skittish young colt, winced, and bounced, and pulled hard at his halter.

"Ho, ho!"said Sam,"skeery, ar ye?"and his black visage lighted up with a curious, mischievous gleam."Ill fix ye now!"said he.

There was a large beech-tree overshadowing the place, and the small, sharp, triangular beech-nuts lay scattered thickly on the ground. With one of these in his fingers, Sam approached the colt, stroked and patted, and seemed apparently busy in soothing his agitation.On pretence of adjusting the saddle, he adroitly slipped under it the sharp little nut, in such a manner that the least weight brought upon the saddle would annoy the nervous sensibilities of the animal, without leaving any perceptible graze or wound.

"Dar!"he said, rolling his eyes with an approving grin;"me fixem!"

At this moment Mrs. Shelby appeared on the balcony, beckoning to him.Sam approached with as good a determination to pay court as did ever suitor after a vacant place at St.Jamesor Washington.

"Why have you been loitering so, Sam?I sent Andy to tell you to hurry."

"Lord bless you, Missis!"said Sam,"horses won't be cotched all in a minit;they'd done clared out way down to the south pasture, and the Lord knows whar!"

"Sam, how often must I tell you not to say'Lord bless you, and the Lord knows,'and such things?Its wicked."

"O, Lord bless my soul!I done forgot, Missis!I wont say nothing of de sort no more."

"Why, Sam, you just have said it again."

"Did I?O, Lord!I mean—I didnt go fur to say it."

"You must be careful, Sam."

"Just let me get my breath, Missis, and I'll start fair. I'll be bery careful."

"Well, Sam, you are to go with Mr. Haley, to show him the road, and help him.Be careful of the horses, Sam;you know Jerry was a little lame last week;dont ride them too fast."

Mrs. Shelby spoke the last words with a low voice, and strong emphasis.

"Let dis child alone for dat!"said Sam, rolling up his eyes with a volume of meaning."Lord knows!High!Didnt say dat!"said he, suddenly catching his breath, with a ludicrous flourish of apprehension, which made his mistress laugh, spite of herself."Yes, Missis, Ill look out for de hosses!"

"Now, Andy,"said Sam, returning to his stand under the beech-trees,"you see I wouldn't be'tal surprised if dat ar gen'lman's crittur should gib a fling, by and by, when he comes to be a gettinup. You know, Andy, critturs will do such things;"and therewith Sam poked Andy in the side, in a highly suggestive manner.

"High!"said Andy, with an air of instant appreciation.

"Yes, you see, Andy, Missis wants to make time,—dat ar's clar to der most or'nary'bserver. I jis make a little for her.Now, you see, get all dese yer hosses loose, caperin'permiscus round dis yer lot and down to de wood dar, and I spec Mas'r won't be off in a hurry."

Andy grinned.

"Yer see,"said Sam,"yer see, Andy, if any such thing should happen as that Mas'r Haley's horse should begin to act contrary, and cut up, you and I jist lets go of our'n to help him, and we'll help him—oh yes!"And Sam and Andy laid their heads back on their shoulders, and broke into a low, immoderate laugh, snapping their fingers and flourishing their heels with exquisite delight.

At this instant, Haley appeared on the verandah. Somewhat mollified by certain cups of very good coffee he came out smiling and talking, in tolerably restored humor.Sam and Andy, clawing for certain fragmentary palm-leaves, which they were in the habit of considering as hats, flew to the horseposts, to be ready to"help Masr."

Sam's palm-leaf had been ingeniously disentangled from all pretensions to braid, as respects its brim;and the slivers starting apart, and standing upright, gave it a blazing air of freedom and defiance, quite equal to that of any Fejee chief;while the whole brim of Andy's being departed bodily, he rapped the crown on his head with a dexterous thump, and looked about well pleased, as if to say,"Who says I havent got a hat?"

"Well, boys,"said Haley,"look alive now;we must lose no time."

"SAM MADE A DIVE FOR THE REINS."

"Not a bit of him, Masr!"said Sam, putting Haleys rein in his hand, and holding his stirrup, while Andy was untying the other two horses.

The instant Haley touched the saddle, the mettlesome creature bounded from the earth with a sudden spring, that threw his master sprawling, some feet off, on the soft, dry turf. Sam, with frantic ejaculations, made a dive at the reins, but only succeeded in brushing the blazing palm-leaf afore-named into the horses eyes, which by no means tended to allay the confusion of his nerves.So, with great vehemence, he overturned Sam, and, giving two or three contemptuous snorts, flourished his heels vigorously in the air, and was soon prancing away towards the lower end of the lawn, followed by Bill and Jerry, whom Andy had not failed to let loose, according to contract, speeding them off with various direful ejaculations.And now ensued a miscellaneous scene of confusion.Sam and Andy ran and shouted,—dogs barked here and there,—and Mike, Mose, Mandy, Fanny, and all the smaller specimens on the place, both male and female, raced, clapped hands, whooped, and shouted, with outrageous officiousness and untiring zeal.

Haley's horse, which was a white one, and very fleet and spirited, appeared to enter into the spirit of the scene with great gusto;and having for his coursing ground a lawn of nearly half a mile in extent, gently sloping down on every side into indefinite woodland, he appeared to take infinite delight in seeing how near he could allow his pursuers to approach him, and then, when within a hand's breadth, whisk off with a start and a snort, like a mischievous beast as he was and career far down into some alley of the wood-lot. Nothing was further from Sam's mind than to have any one of the troop taken until such season as should seem to him most befitting,—and the exertions that he made were certainly most heroic.Like the sword of Coeur de Lion, which always blazed in the front and thickest of the battle, Sam's palm-leaf was to be seen everywhere when there was the least danger that a horse could be caught;—there he would bear down full tilt, shouting,"Now for it!cotch him!cotch him!"in a way that would set everything to indiscriminate rout in a moment.

Haley ran up and down, and cursed and swore and stamped miscellaneously. Mr.Shelby in vain tried to shout directions from the balcony, and Mrs.Shelby from her chamber window alternately laughed and wondered,—not without some inkling of what lay at the bottom of all this confusion.

At last, about twelve o'clock, Sam appeared triumphant, mounted on Jerry, with Haley's horse by his side, reeking with sweat, but with flashing eyes and dilated nostrils, showing that the spirit of freedom had not yet entirely subsided.

"Hes cotched!"he exclaimed, triumphantly."If't hadn't been for me, they might a-bust themselves, all onem;but I cotched him!"

"You!"growled Haley, in no amiable mood."If it hadnt been for you, this never would have happened."

"Lord bless us, Masr,"said Sam, in a tone of the deepest concern,"and me that has been racin'and chasin'till the sweat jest pours off me!"

"Well, well!"said Haley,"you've lost me near three hours, with your cursed nonsense. Now let's be off, and have no more fooling."

"Why, Masr,"said Sam, in a deprecating tone,"I believe you mean to kill us all clar, horses and all. Here we are all just ready to drop down, and the critters all in a reek of sweat.Why, Mas'r won't think of startin'on now till arter dinner.Mas'r's hoss wants rubben down;see how he splashed hisself;and Jerry limps too;don't think Missis would be willin'to have us start dis yer way, nohow.Lord bless you, Mas'r, we can ketch up, if we do stop.Lizy never was no great of a walker."

Mrs. Shelby, who, greatly to her amusement, had overheard this conversation from the verandah, now resolved to do her part.She came forward, and, courteously expressing her concern for Haleys accident, pressed him to stay to dinner, saying that the cook should bring it on the table immediately.

Thus, all things considered, Haley, with rather an equivocal grace, proceeded to the parlor, while Sam, rolling his eyes after him with unutterable meaning, proceeded gravely with the horses to the stable-yard.

"Did yer see him, Andy?did yer see him?"said Sam, when he had got fairly beyond the shelter of the barn, and fastened the horse to a post."O, Lor, if it warn't as good as a meetin',now, to see him a-dancin'and kickin'and swarin'at us. Didn't I hear him?Swar away, ole fellow(says I to myself);will yer have yer hoss now, or wait till you cotch him?(says I).Lor, Andy, I think I can see him now."And Sam and Andy leaned up against the barn and laughed to their heartscontent.

"Yer oughter seen how mad he looked when I brought the hoss up. Lord, he'd a-killed me, if he durs'to;and there I was a standinas innercent and as humble."

"Lor, I seed you,"said Andy;"ant you an old hoss, Sam?"

"Rather specks I am,"said Sam;"did yer see Missis up stars at the winder?I seed her laughin."

"I'm sure, I was racin'so, I didnt see nothing,"said Andy.

"Well, yer see,"said Sam, proceeding gravely to wash down Haleys pony,"I'se'quired what yer may call a habit o'bobservation, Andy. It's a very'portant habit, Andy;and I'commend yer to be cultivatin'it, now yer young.Hist up that hind foot, Andy.Yer see, Andy, it's bobservation makes all de difference in niggers.Didn't I see which way the wind blew dis yer mornin'?Didn't I see what Missis wanted, though she never let on?Dat ar's bobservation, Andy.I'spects it's what you may call a faculty.Faculties is different in different peoples, but cultivation ofem goes a great way."

"I guess if I hadn't helped your bobservation dis mornin'yer wouldnt have seen your way so smart,"said Andy.

"Andy,"said Sam,"you's a promisin'child, der an't no manner o'doubt. I thinks lots of yer, Andy;and I don't feel no ways ashamed to take idees from you.We oughtenter overlook nobody, Andy, cause the smartest on us gets tripped up sometimes.And so, Andy, let's go up to the house now.I'll be boun'Missisll give us an uncommon good bite, dis yer time."

同类推荐
  • 安徒生童话选(纯爱英文馆)

    安徒生童话选(纯爱英文馆)

    安徒生童话是丹麦作家安徒生的童话作品,也是世界上最有名的童话作品集之一。他最著名的童话故事有《海的女儿》、《小锡兵》、《冰雪女王》、《拇指姑娘》、《卖火柴的小女孩》、《丑小鸭》和《红鞋》等。尽管创作体裁属于童话,但是其中蕴含了丰富的人生哲理。
  • 圣经故事(纯爱英文馆)

    圣经故事(纯爱英文馆)

    《圣经故事》是生活亚、非、欧三大洲交界处的古代希伯来民族数千年历史长河中集体智慧的结晶,也是犹太教、基督教(包括天主教、东正教和新教)共同的正式经典。它构成了西方社会两千年来的文化传统和特点,并影响到世界广大地区的历史发展和文化进程。
  • 国家负荷·国家电网科技创新实录:英文

    国家负荷·国家电网科技创新实录:英文

    《国家负荷:国家电网科技创新实录》反映了那些不断研究科技创新的电网科技精英们,那些持续探索技术革新的普通工人们,他们从来都只把饱满的激情投入到火热的工作中,他们不谈功,只说业。
  • 用英语介绍中国这里是广州

    用英语介绍中国这里是广州

    外国人面前,你能否用一口流利的英文介绍自己所在的城市呢?走出国门,你是否能够让更多的外国人了解广州灿烂悠久的文化?本书为读者奉上原汁原味的人文阅读精华,详细介绍了人们最感兴趣的广州历史文化、城市风景、广州生活、名人逸事等,带您全方位地了解广州。读者在学习英语的同时,又能品味这座南方文化名城的独特魅力。
  • 中国新生代农民工(英文版)

    中国新生代农民工(英文版)

    《中国新生代农民工》对新生代农民工的生存现状进行了全方位的记述。对这个数以亿计的群体存在的教育、就业、生存等诸多问题进行深入探索,提出了解决问题的对策与建议。
热门推荐
  • 二哥改河记

    二哥改河记

    后来我经常想,如果不是因为宋三妮子宋春莉,二哥就会进城当工人去了,他的命运或许就是另一种情况,更不会干出那件惊动天地的大事情。后来我也经常想,如果那件大事情没有半途夭折,二哥也不会同宋三妮子私奔,最终让她变成我二嫂。宋三妮子是焦坡村里的一枝花。宋三妮子的美丽就在她的腰肢和鼓胀着的胸脯上,那是让所有男人想入非非、心旌摇荡的。实际上,在我二哥要干那件大事情时,宋三妮子已经有了婆家,未婚夫是村支书焦老六的儿子焦玉柱。
  • 宇航:开启新时代(青少年科学探索·求知·发现丛书)

    宇航:开启新时代(青少年科学探索·求知·发现丛书)

    《宇航:开启新时代(青少年科学探索·求知·发现丛书)》从基础宇宙知识、宇宙的奇思妙想、宇宙运用和探索宇宙等方面,向读者展现了人类进军浩瀚宇宙的不懈努力,向青少年读者揭开宇宙的神秘面纱。
  • 重生之完美如意

    重生之完美如意

    新书《大唐孽子》正式开始连载,不好看不用收藏~~江辉重生了!回到了2003年,且看他如何纵横互联网和实体经济圈,弥补上辈子的各种遗憾,带领一帮小伙伴们走出国门,拳打苹果,脚踏脸书,让世界各国人士高呼狼来了。
  • 诡道传人

    诡道传人

    新书《仙路杂货铺》正式发布!他化身诡门少主,风度翩翩,才冠无双,凭阴诡奇术,绝顶聪明,走上了复仇之路。而在大仇得报之际,他却忽然发现,原来这背后另有阴谋!《一起捉妖吧》同步更新!
  • 甘露军茶利菩萨供养念诵成就仪轨

    甘露军茶利菩萨供养念诵成就仪轨

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 时尚健身体育

    时尚健身体育

    本丛书以统一的体例、创新的形式,讲解各项目的起源与发展、运动保健、基本技术、运动技巧、比赛规则等,注重实用性、可操作性,使读者在学习过程中,不仅能够学会运动健身的方法,同时还能够学到保健方面的基本知识。
  • 笑死人不偿命(大全集)

    笑死人不偿命(大全集)

    汇集各路最新的段子与笑话,让你捧腹不止,包你乐开怀!尽在《笑死人不偿命》。
  • 至尊毒女:倾城帝妃戏诸侯

    至尊毒女:倾城帝妃戏诸侯

    生性残忍冷漠的她由狐妖修炼成人。无意打开时空之门,给时空带到古代……倾城容貌却带着戾气,神鬼皆惊,却见他第一眼,无情戾气化为爱慕。他谈吐优雅,却能叱咤风云,喋血战场,身为一国之君,只为她回首。
  • 空间之末世女在古代

    空间之末世女在古代

    孟梦在经历末世六年后,她的三观已经变了,除了吃,一切皆是浮云,在她的眼中,除了吃,就没什么重要的事情了。为了吃饱、吃好她只能去做各种任务,然后,在完成任务回来准备吃饭时,却因为和丧尸王打架时,一个没控制住把自己给劈穿越了。谁知穿越的第二天,她就很不幸的被自己大嫂给卖了,而且,还是卖给一个大叔当媳妇。 被卖的孟梦看着那一桌子的饭菜,表示:“只要有吃的,咱一切好商量!”当婚后一个月后,大叔余逸发现自己的小妻子,不但力气大,还能吃、还暴力、还呆…… 有人找事情直接打一顿,抢吃的打一顿,一言不合直接打,一般都是不开口,如果余逸不给她吃的,她就会盯着余逸如盯肉一般……(如果打一架不能解决,那就再打一架,如果再打一架还是解决不了,那就打到解决为止好了。)
  • 日本童话集

    日本童话集

    本书中的童话和传说故事来源众多,其中数篇选自日本神话集《古事记》,另有多篇记载着每代人的童年时光,由保姆或学生凭着依稀记忆诉说而成。书中诸多人物已成为日本艺术舞台上倍受欢迎的形象。在本书完成汇编前,多篇童话已被译为英文,经由多种形式流传。其余童话可能较晚进入英文读者的视野。格雷丝·詹姆斯,作家,1882年生于日本东京,1965年卒于意大利罗马。作品以儿童文学及日本民俗为主。除了《日本童话集》之外,还著有《约翰与玛丽》儿童冒险系列。